What does it mean when my dog’s nipples are swollen? Here’s the Answer

Painful, Swollen, or Discolored Breasts and Teats

One or multiple breasts can be infected and swollen, and this swelling is not limited to just nursing or pregnant dogs. As breasts swell, they may also become inflamed or discolored like a bruise, and even develop ulcers or sores on them. The teats may also become very inflamed, red in color, and larger than usual.

What Is Mastitis?

Mastitis is a condition in which the mammary glands located in the dogs breast become inflamed, typically due to a bacterial infection, milk accumulation, or fungal infection. Bacteria enter the gland through the opening in the teat and cause infection, inflammation, and other problematic symptoms of mastitis. Other times, bacteria are not involved and mastitis simply occurs as a result of excess milk accumulation in the mammary gland.

Signs a Female Is in Heat

Common signs and symptoms you can expect to see when a female is in season include:

Mood change – Some females show a change in mood shortly before their season commences, and they may even act a bit touchy. Think of it as the doggie equivalent of PMS.

Swollen nipples – Sometimes, but not always, the nipples and breasts will swell slightly. This can also be a sign of a phantom pregnancy, when a female may begin to show signs of being pregnant even if shes not. So, watch if this happens, but it usually resolves itself in a few weeks after the cycle ends.

Sudden interest from males – Male studs are great early warning detectors and can smell the change in a females hormones before she fully comes into heat.

Swollen vulva – The vulva can show some swelling, but it is quite variable. Some females hardly swell at all, while others swell up like a golf ball.

Tail flagging – When a female is ready to be bred, shell usually stand quite still while the male investigates her vulva. Shell hold her own tail up and wag it side to side to make sure he catches the scent.

Blood discharge – This is usually the surest indicator the heat cycle has begun, with a pinkish, red-colored discharge the first week that usually turns to a tannish color during the fertile period, and then changes back to a reddish color before gradually stopping altogether. Some females keep themselves extremely clean, and it may be difficult to tell if they are in season at all.

A female dog will begin to bleed in the initial pro-estrus stage, which can last anywhere from four to 15 days. She may continue to bleed during the next stage, estrus, which will last another four to eight days. A female dogs bleeding will usually begin to lessen in the estrus stage and should stop entirely before diestrus begins.

Why are my dogs nipples swollen not pregnant?

Understanding a females heat cycle can help you prepare for a breeding or prevent an unwanted litter. Find out how the heat cycle works and how to recognize when a female is coming into season.

When a female comes into “heat” or “season,” her body is preparing for breeding and the possibility of producing a litter. According to Banfield Pet Hospitals, the cycle is broken into stages.

While it is not a hard rule, most females come into their first heat cycle around six months of age, although some females wait as long as 12 to 18 months old. Very large breed females may begin cycling as late as 24 months old.

While many females will hold to a fairly steady schedule of coming into season about every six months, it can vary. Some females will only come into heat once a year, while others may even come into season every four months. However, these “extra” seasons are not always fertile. Once a female has her first season, you can track subsequent cycles to determine what her natural pattern will be.

Its possible to calculate approximately where a dog is in the heat cycle, though not all dogs will follow the average time periods for each cycle with 100 percent accuracy. A female dog will come into heat twice a year, and younger dogs may not have a regular time interval established until they are about 2 years old. If you know when your dog had her last heat, you can figure out when the next one is coming by counting the days:

You can also use an app or online tool such as a dog heat cycle calculator to keep track of your dogs progress.